Use of Symbolism in Hawthornes The House of the Seven...

Use of Symbolism in Hawthornes The House of the Seven Gables In the novel The House of the Seven Gables, Hawthorne portrays Alice Pyncheon as a unique and compelling character, placing her in contrast with a story full of greed, lies and betrayal. Hawthorne reveals her fantastic character to us in numerous uses of symbolism throughout the novel. By painting a picture of a gentle yet proud woman, Hawthorne chooses to represent Alices impressive characteristics using images that come up repeatedly in his novel such as the nature and flowers in the garden as well as Alices Posies. Hawthorne also makes reference to the Maule mastery and its power over Alice and the playing of the harpsichord during a Pyncheon death. All the†¦show more content†¦Hawthorne describes the bush as literally covered with a rare and very beautiful species of white rose (68). The white hue of the roses could no doubt represent the purity of Alices character and spirit. The rosebush radiant in full bloom mirrors the fact that Alices spirit is very much alive a nd vibrant despite her unfair death two centuries earlier. Also, when Hawthorne states that the whole rosebush looked as if it had been brought from Eden that very summer, he shows the innocence of Alices spirit through his reference to the garden of Eden and her characters place among the heavens above. This rosebush in the Pyncheon garden symbolizes Alices innocence and purity as well as her connection to nature and the flowers that God himself created. Besides Alices connection to the nature in full bloom within the Pyncheon garden, Hawthorne makes several references to Alices Posies which bloom every summer on the roof of the House of the Seven Gables. Hawthorne notes that these flowers did their best to gladden it [the house] with tender beauty in the same way that Alices tenderness does its best to dominate the gloom of the Pyncheon House (31). Most notably, Alices Posies were flaunting in rich beauty and full bloom . . . a mystic expression that something within the house was consummated on the day that Holgrave and Phoebe unite their love for one another, thereforeShow MoreRelated A Comparison of The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables3606 Words   |  15 PagesA Comparison of The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables    Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of Americas most renowned authors, demonstrates his extraordinary talents in two of his most famed novels, The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. To compare these two books seems bizarre, as their plots are distinctly different. Though the books are quite seemingly different, the central themes and Hawthornes style are closely related (Carey, p. 62). 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